“A huge congratulations to Stillknocks”, applauded EFC president Cairo Howarth. “KSW is one of the world’s biggest MMA promotions and is based in Poland, featuring some of the best European athletes. Du Plessis has been making waves around the world for some time, and was invited to test himself against the Polish promotion’s best. We are really proud of his accomplishments and for representing EFC and South Africa so well”.

One of the elite few around the world to be a double promotion champion, Du Plessis has proved that South African athletes belong at the top of the sport.

From the start of his career, Du Plessis has stated he wants to be regarded as the best Mixed Martial Artists in the world, of all time. Claiming a third belt, in a second promotion, is a sure-fire way towards achieving such an ambitious dream.

What is next for Du Plessis? In ‘The Fighter – Season 1’ Finale, the challenger to the EFC middleweight title was decided. Over three grueling rounds, South Africa’s Brendan Lesar defeated France’s Ibrahima Mané to claim the official No.1 middleweight contender spot and remain undefeated as a professional mixed martial artist.

Lesar faced and defeated four game opponents to be crowned the TF1 winner, but suffered a severe injury in the dying seconds of the finale. He has been quietly recovering and preparing for the biggest fight of his career, a fight against Du Plessis.